AFAC's Blog

Charlie — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:23:06 +0000

Featured Volunteer – Joe Adcock. We are always glad to see Joe at AFAC. He has a wonderful light-hearted and caring spirit that makes him a favorite of staff, fellow volunteers and clients. Please read more from Joe’s perspective.

Calling employees or retirees of the World Bank. Have you volunteered or supported AFAC in some way? If yes, please contact joy.myers@afac.org for a World Bank-AFAC opportunity.

Ways to Support AFAC. There are many ways that you can help AFAC “Serve Hope, One Person at a Time.” It is our pledge and commitment to you that we will respectfully use your gift for the purpose for which it was given. For more information on AFAC’s charitable giving options, please click here, or contact our Director of Development, Donald Coates: donald.coates@afac.org or 703-845-8486.

Volunteers Needed

Charlie — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:20:19 +0000

AFAC is conducting a client survey the week of February 6th. We need volunteers to help pass out surveys and help clients complete them. We especially need volunteers who are bilingual in Amharic, Russian and Spanish. Times we need help: M-F mornings from 930am-noon. If you can help, please sign-up via our online calendar. If you are not in our online system, please complete a volunteer profile form first. Email mona.bormet@afac.org with any questions.

Calling all Giants and Patriots fans! Are you having a Super Bowl party? Consider asking your friends to bring non-perishable food donations for AFAC! We are also asking all houses of worship in Arlington to partner with the Souperbowl of Caring and designate AFAC as their charity of choice. Please see our “heart-healthy” food drive for our current needs. Contact Danielle.Rampton@afac.org with any questions.

Plot Against Hunger. It’s not too early to start planning your garden plot and setting aside space for an extra row of vegetables for AFAC. FREE vegetable seeds are now available for individuals, schoolyard gardens, and faith-based and community gardens which donate produce to us. Ever have extra seedlings? Donate them and we’ll distribute them to AFAC clients who have gardens. Contact Puwen at puwen.lee@afac.org or (703)845-8486 to arrange to pick up seeds.

Come Celebrate!

Charlie — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:18:20 +0000

Come help us as we celebrate our paid-off mortgage and raise funds for our Food Program at the AFAC 2012 Gala Reception and Auction! Mark your calendars for the evening of Wednesday, March 14th to join us at the Washington Golf & Country Club for food, wine, music by the OrangeLine Jazz Trio, live and silent auctions, and the opportunity to meet Honorary Chair Ted Leonsis, local philanthropist and owner of the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards. Ticket and sponsorship information coming soon!

Volunteers Needed!

Charlie — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:38:19 +0000

Help with Client Survey:
AFAC is conducting a client survey the week of February 6th. We need volunteers to help pass out surveys and help clients complete the surveys. We especially need volunteers who are bilingual in Amharic, Russian and Spanish. Times we need help: M-F mornings from 930am-noon, Thursday from 7-8pm, and Saturday from 9-11am. If you can help, please sign-up via our online calendar. If you are not in our online system, please complete a volunteer profile form first. Email mona.bormet@afac.org with any questions.

Plot Against Hunger:
It’s not too early to start planning your garden plot and setting aside space for an extra row of vegetables for AFAC. FREE vegetable seeds are now available for individuals, schoolyard gardens, and faith-based and community gardens which donate produce to us. Ever have extra seedlings? Don’t compost them; we’ll distribute them to AFAC clients who have gardens. Contact Puwen at puwen.lee@afac.org or (703)845-8486 to arrange to pick up seeds.

Thanks!

Charlie — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:33:27 +0000

USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan volunteers at AFAC
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack designated January 12, 2012 as the first United States Department of Agriculture Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service to recognize Dr. King’s contributions to the Civil Rights Movement. USDA Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan, Max Finberg, Director, USDA Center for Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships and 18 USDA staff volunteered at AFAC on Thursday, January 12th from 1-4pm. They helped bag fresh produce, rice and oatmeal for distribution to AFAC clients. View more photos here and read an article from The Washington Hispanic.

Thank you to the many volunteers who braved the cold weather on Sunday and Monday to collect 4,000+ lbs of food donations for AFAC’s MLK Weekend of Service. Thank you also to the Giant Grocery Stores who welcomed our volunteers and to all those who donated to AFAC.

The Debelins family put together 118 bags for our backpack buddies program as their Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service. Thank you for all your hard work!

Come Celebrate!

Charlie — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:30:11 +0000

Come help us as we celebrate our paid-off mortgage and raise funds for our Food Program at the AFAC 2012 Spring Gala! Mark your calendars for the evening of Wednesday, March 14th to join us for food, wine, music, live and silent auctions, and the opportunity to meet Honorory Chair Ted Leonsis, local philanthropist and owner of the Washington Capitals and Washington Wizards. More details soon!

Volunteers Needed!

Charlie — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:29:23 +0000

Featured on NBC!

Charlie — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:02:00 +0000

Featured on NBC – AFAC volunteer’s new Italian cookbook – with proceeds benefiting AFAC.
View AFAC volunteer Marilena Amoni’s January 4th NBC interview. The cookbook is a tribute to her father. Order copies online for $14.95 plus shipping and handling. Allow 8-10 days for printing and delivery. Proceeds go to AFAC and the American Cancer Society.

Fresh Winter Vegetables.
Thank you to the Montessori School of Northern Virginia and the Arlington Central Library for bringing in the last donations of vegetables and herbs before Jack Frost visited this week. The library garden’s early January harvest of broccoli, bok choy, kale, and collards was unprecedented! Thanks also to MAGNET (Mid-Atlantic Gleaning Network) for a huge load of turnips, cabbage, and sweet potatoes.

Save the Dates!

Charlie — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:00:41 +0000

Join the Celebration!

AFAC is planning a spring benefit reception to celebrate the completion of our Permanent Home Campaign (including a “burning” of our paid-off mortgage), and to look to the future as we gather support for our all-important food program. Please reserve the evening of Wednesday, March 14th, on your 2012 calendars. More details to follow, including information about our exciting Honorary Chair!

Arlington’s 43rd Annual Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King
Sunday, January 15 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Washington-Lee High School (1301 N Stafford Street). Honoring Dr. King’s legacy with live music, dance, storytelling and more. Non-perishable food items will be collected for AFAC.

48 Volunteers Needed

Charlie — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:58:38 +0000

Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service Food Drives
Sunday, January 15th and Monday, January 16th from 11am-5pm. Grab your family & friends and sign-up to help AFAC collect food at 4 local Giant grocery stores. We also need volunteers with minivans or trucks to deliver the donations to AFAC. Sign-up via our online calendar. If you are a new volunteer, please fill out a Volunteer Profile form and we’ll send you the link so you can sign up to help.

Night Owl Driver needed on alternating Friday evenings
The Trader Joe’s in Bailey’s Crossroads generously donates produce and other items to AFAC on weekday nights. The pick-ups take place between 10-11pm. Volunteers must be able to drive the AFAC van and lift 30-40 pounds, be a licensed driver, and make a six month commitment. Please contact Laura Jackson at laura.jackson@afac.org if you can help on alternating Friday nights.